Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 0: Six things we learned

STAYING UP: Andros Townsend's winner moved Newcastle out of the bottom three

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Newcastle are out of the relegation zone for the first time since February 13.

Can they stay there? Well, the momentum is certainly with the Magpies who have picked up eight points out of a possible 12.

That’s four games unbeaten, the first time they have put together such a run since autumn 2014 when a certain Alan Pardew was in charge at St James’ Park.

And it’s Aston Villa next!

Townsend’s a Geordie legend

Well that might be stretching it a bit but he’s well on his way. And there’s not a more popular man on Tyneside right now.

Newcastle’s January spending spree has had mixed results but Towsnend has been a major success.

And he enjoyed his best moment in a black and white shirt this afternoon with arguably the Magpies’ most important goal of the season.

This was a game Newcastle had to win and it was the England international who made the crucial breakthrough curling in a wonderful left foot free-kick in the 58th minute.

Great technique, even better execution.

Every Newcastle player's weekly wages revealed

STARSPORT bring you every Newcastle player's wages - according to Football Manager 2016.

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1. Fabricio Coloccini £60,000-a-week

And Darlow’s a Toon cult hero

To think most Newcastle fans were worried when Rob Elliot was ruled out for the rest of the season with the keeper’s gloves switching to Karl Darlow.

The former Nottingham Forest man had hardly impressed on his one and only previous Toon appearance in December gifting West Brom the winning goal.

But he has done little wrong since and today was his finest hour.

He had already pulled off some fine saves when his big moment arrived in the 70th minute, flinging himself to his left to keep out Yohan Cabaye’s penaly before being smothered by celebrating team-mates.

It ensured justice was done wth Moussa Sissoko having been harshly penalised for handball.

Still slow starters.

What is it about Newcastle and first halves? They just can’t seem to get it going from minute one.

Since Rafa Benitez came in, the Toon have had to play catch-up in five games and it looked as if it would be the same today with Palace calling the tune in the opening 45 minutes.

But even though they were second best early on, the fact Newcastle reached the interval level-pegging must have given them a confidence boost in itself.

As is their way, the hosts cranked through the gears in the second half and ran out worthy winners.